Curtain-fixture



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1'.

W. N. BUGKLIEY.

CURTAIN FIXTURE.

N0. 3 13.160 g gatented June 8, 1886.

N PETERS. Photo-Lithographer. wmi nnnnnn z:v

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. BUGKLEY.

GURT AIN FIXTURE. N0.'343,160. Patented June 8, 1886.

l lll II UN TED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

WVlllLlAll N. BUOKLEY, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

CU RTAlN-FIXTU RE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 343,160, dated June 8,1886.

Application filed April 5, 1882. Serial No. 57,370.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. BUCKLEY, of Meriden, in the county of NewHaven and State of Connecticut, have invented new Improvements inCurtain Fixtures; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken inconnection with accompanying drawings and letters of reference markedthereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, andwhich said drawings constitute part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in curtain-fixtures; and itconsists in an automatically applied and relieved friction device forcontrolling the unwinding of their actuating-springs, and in an improvedgravity or positive stop.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is abroken view, in elevation, ofa curtain-fixture embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view, partly inelevation and partly in central longitudinal section, of a spring-stopfixture, to which my invention has been applied. Fig. 3 is an outsideview of the friction-plate thereof, such plate being in part broken awayto show the centrifugal pawl pivoted to its inner face, the disk fixedto the spindle, and the stud located upon the outer face of the disk.Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the pawl as thrown out by centrifugalaction and engaged with the said stud. Fig. 5 is a view in outsideelevation of thedisk fixed to the spindle, such disk being in partbroken away to show the gravity-pawl pivoted to its inner face, and theedge of the flange of the head fixed to the roll 'of the fixture. Fig. 6is a similar view showing the pawl in engagement with the said flange.Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section and partly in eles vation, of aspring-balance fixture to which my improved friction device has beenapplied. Fig. 8 is a view in outside elevation of the friction-platethereof, such plate being in part broken away to show the disk fixed tothe spindle and the centrifugal pawl pivoted to the inner face of thedisk; and Fig. 9is a similar view showing the engagement of the saidpawl with a stud projecting inwardly from the friction-plate.

Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings show my improved frictiondevice as applied to a spring-stop fixture of ordinary construction,having a roll, D, a spindle, B, an actuating- (No model.)

spring, 13*, a head, U, fixed to the roll and located entirely withinthe same, and having a flange, T, provided with slots S, and a disk, N,fixed to the spindle. My improved friction device, as shown in suchfigures of the drawings, consists of a friction-plate, A, an adjustablecap, G, a disk-spring, E, a centrifugal pawl, J, and certain otherfeatures, as will be described. The said plate A is of annular form, andjournaled upon the spindle of the fixture, and provided with aninwardly-projecting flange, O, engaging frictionally with the end of theroll of the fixture, with which the plate normally rotates inconsequence of such engagement, which is made possible by the locationof the head fixed to the roll entirely within the same. The cap G fitsover the end of the roll, and is provided with slots H, inclined to andopening at its edge, and receiving studs I, located in the periphery ofthe roll, whereby the cap, when rotated, is adjusted toward and awayfrom the end of the roll. The disk-spring E is interposed between thecap and friction-plate, and serves to press the latter against the endof the roll, such pressure being regulated by the adjustment of the capwhich controls the tension of the spring. The centrifugal pawl J is hungby a stud, L, upon the inner face of the friction-plate, and is adaptedto be thrown out by centrifugal action, when the rotation of the rolland the unwinding of the spring is too rapid, to engage with a stud, M,located in the outer face of the disk N, which is fixed to the spindle.The pawl J is provided with an elongated central aperture, K, throughwhich the spindle passes, and which confines the vibration of the pawlwithin the requiredlimits. The fixture under consideration also includesa gravity or positive stop, forming a feature of my invention, and to bedescribed hereinafter.

Having described in detail the construction of my improved frictiondevice in its application to spring-stop fixtures, I will now set forth,the mode of its use, its operation, and its function in such relation.The adjustable cap is first set to compress the disk-spring, so as tohold the friction plate against the end of the roll with a forceproportional to the power of the actuating-spring. Then,v

when the fixture is operated, the frictionplate will be normally rotatedby and with the 5 the roll.

5 stop into action for stopping the roll.

o the spindle, after which the roll rotates against the plate with thedevelopment of sufficient friction to control the unwinding of theactuating-spring of the fixture which unwinds for winding the shade, andhence the rotation of As the tension of such spring declines and itbecomes more and more equalized in power with the power represented bythe friction,'which is itself determined by the position of theadjustable cap, the roll rotates o slower and slower until the gravityor positive stop ofthe fixture acts and stops it. Then,

when the rotation of the roll is reversed, as in drawing down the shade,the centrifugal pawl is automatically disengaged by the action of 5gravity from the stud carried by the disk fixed to the spindle, and soremains until the roll again acquires a too rapid rate of rotationduring the winding of theshade. It will thus be seen that a medium rateof rotation in the roll permits a safe and convenient winding of theshade, that an excessively rapid rate of rotation in it calls thefriction device into play, and is thereby corrected, and that a slowrate of rotation calls the positive or gravity It will be noted, also,that the action ofthe friction device is entirely automatic, both as toits application and relief. By controlling the unwinding of theactuating-spring, as described,

0 the concussion ensuing upon suddenly stopping the roll is not onlyavoided and a frequent cause of damage to the fixture done away with,but also the fixture is made, obviously, more convenient to manage.

Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings show my improved frictiondevice as applied to a spring-blance fixture of ordinary construction,and having aroll,O, aspindle,D, an actuating spring, F, and a disk, N,fixed to the spindle.

0 As shown in such figures of the drawings,

my improved friction device consists of a friction-plate, A, anadjustable cap, G, a diskspring, E,and a centrifugal pawl, J, theseparts being the same in construction and arrange- 5 ment as those shownand described for the spring-stop fixture, with the exception that thecentrifugal pawl is hung by a stud, 0', upon the outer face of the diskfixed to the spindle instead of upon the inner face of the 0friction-plate, as in the spring-stop fixture,

and that the stud P, with which the pawl engages, is located upon theinner face of the friction-plate instead of upon the outer face of thedisk fixed to the spindle, as in the said spring-stop fixture.

The function of my improved friction device, as applied to springbalancefixtures, is

to set their actuating-springs to the required tension,and to preventthem from unwinding when the spindleis disengaged from the bracket andnot restrained from rotating. To set the spring,the cap is adjusted todevelop sufficient friction between the roll and plate to hold thespring. at its operating or ultimate tension. After the cap has been soadjusted the spring is wound to a high or excessive tension and thenreleased for unwinding,when it rotates the spindle and throws out thecentrifugal pawl,which engages with the stud carried by thefriction-plate,and thus automatically couples the same with the spindlefor rotation therewith and against the roll, which is prevented fromrotating. The friction thus developed by the rotation of thefriction-plate against the end of the roll will control the unwinding ofthe spring, and, when the same is reduced to its operating or ultimatetension, stop and hold it against further unwinding.

The operation of the fixture after being mounted effects an automaticuncoupling of the friction-plate and spindle; but they are automaticallyrecoupled when the fixture is dismounted,whereby the actuating-spring isprevented from unwinding farther than the recoil required to rotate thespindle and throw out the centrifugal pawl for engagement with the studcarried by the disk fixed to the spindle. It will thus be seen that asapplied to springbalance fixtures my improved friction device isemployed to set the actuating-spring and to hold the same againstunwinding when the fixture is dismounted, and that the action of thedevice is entirely automatic,both as to its action and relief.

My improved gravity or positive stop consists in aneccentrically-pivoted pawl provided with an opening through which thespindle passes,and constructed andarranged to act by gravity and arrestthe unwinding of the spring of a spring-stop fixture, and hence thewinding of the shade thereof.

In Figs. 2, 5, and 6 of the drawings my improved stop is shown aslocated entirely within the roll of a fixture and hung by a stud, R,upon the inner face of the disk fixed to the spindle thereof, andadapted to engage with the head U,fixed to the said roll through slotsS, formed in the flange T of the said head, whereby the spindle iscoupled with the roll.

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exactconstruction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, buthold myself at liberty to make such changes andalterations as fairlyfall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the roll and actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of an automatically applied and relieved frictiondevice for controlling the unwinding of the spring, substantially as setforth.

2. The combination, with the roll and actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling the unwinding ofthe actuating-spring of the fixture automatically applied and relievedby the rotation of the roll, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the roll and actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of an automatically applied and relieved frictiondevice for controlling the unwinding of the actuating spring normallyrotating with the roll, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the roll. the actu ating'spring, and thespindle of a curtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the actuating-spring, and means for coupling the frictiondevice with the spindle, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the roll, the actuating-spring, and the spindleof a curtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling the unwindingof the actuating-spring, and a centrifugal pawl for coupling thefriction device with the spindle, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination,with the roll, the actuating-spring, and the spindleof a curtain-fix ture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the actuating-spring, and a centrifugal pawl for couplingthe friction device with the spindle, having an opening through whichthe spindle passes, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the roll and the actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of an automatically applied and relieved frictiondevice for controlling the unwinding of the' actuating-spring, and meansfor varying the amount of friction developed by the friction device,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the roll and the actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling the unwinding-ofthe spring, and an adjustable cap fitting over the end of the roll forvarying the amount of friction developed by the device, substantially asset forth.

9. The combination, with the roll and the actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, ofa friction device for controlling the unwinding ofthe spring, and a cap fitting over the end of the roll operating uponthe friction device for varying the amount of friction developed by thesame, and provided with slots, as shown and described, through which itis engaged with studs located in the roll, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the roll and the actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling the unwinding ofthe spring, an adjustable cap fitting over the end of the roll, and aspring interposed between the cap and the friction device, substantiallyas set forth.

11. The combination, with the roll, the actuating-spring, and thespindle of a curtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the spring, and having direct frictional contact with theroll, with which it normally rotates, and means for coupling the saiddevice with the spindle, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with the roll, the actuating-spring, and thespindle of a curtain-fixture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the spring, consisting of a flanged plate journaled uponthe spindle, and having direct frictional contact with the roll, withwhich it normally rotates, and means for coupling the said device withthe spindle, substantiall y as set forth.

13. The combinatiomwith the roll, the actuating-spring, and the spindleof a curtainfixture, of a friction device for controlling the unwindingof the spring, and means carried by the said device for coupling it withthe spindle. substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, with the roll, the actdating-spring, and thespindle of a curtainfixture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the sp ring,and devices operated by the rotation of theroll for coupling the friction device with the spindle, substantially asset forth.

15. The combination, with the roll, the actuating-spring, and thespindle of a curtainfiXture, of a friction device for controlling theunwinding of the spring and normally rotating with the roll, and acentrifugal pawl carried by the said device for coupling it with thespindle, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, with the roll and actuating-spring of acurtain-fixture, of a head fixed to the roll and located entirely withinthe same, and a friction device for controlling the unwinding of theactuating-spring engaging withthe end of the roll, substantially as setforth.

17 In a curtain-fixture, a flanged frictionplatc journaled upon thespindle of the fixture,and having its flange in frictional engagementwith the end of the roll,with which the plate normally rotates, acentrifugal pawl for coupling the said plate with the spindle, an

ture passes, and constructed and arranged to act by gravity and arrestthe unwinding of the spring of the fixture, and hence thewinding of theshade thereof, substantially as set forth.

20. A gravity-pawl eccentrically pivoted to the spindle of aspringactuated curtain-fixture, and provided with an opening throughwhich the said spindle passes, and constructed and adapted to engagewiththe roll of the fixture, substantially as set forth.

21. In a spring curtain-fixture, a roll, a spindle, and anactuating-spring, in combination with a gravity-pawl located in theroll, adapted to engage therewith,and having an opening to receive thespindle and eccentrically pivoted to the same, substantially as setforth.

22. The combination,with a roll, of a spring for actuating it, andfriction devices for controlling the unwinding of the spring and thewinding of the roll, and applied and relieved, respectively, by therotation of the roll in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

23. The con1bination,with a roll, of a spring for actuating it, frictiondevices for controlling the spring and roll, and applied and relieved,respectively, by the rotation of the roll in opposite directions, andadjusting devices carried by the roll for varying the amou nt offriction developed by the friction devices, 20 substantially as setforth.

WM. N. BUOKLEY.

